Hobart Hurricanes registered an important win against Melbourne Stars in the Big Bash League as the mid-table scramble became even more intense.
Follow Us
Ben McDermott’s vital 67, in addition to great bowling performances from Nathan Ellis, Riley Meredith and Thomas Rogers helped Hobart Hurricanes register a 24-run win against Melbourne Stars in the Big Bash League match at the Bellerive Oval in Hobart on Friday. With this major victory, the Hobart Hurricanes have made a major move up the table as the fight for the fourth and fifth spot intensifies in the Big Bash League 2021/22 season.
Hobart Hurricanes capitalized on the big moments well. On paper, they did not have as many international stars as the Melbourne Stars. Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, and Andre Russell’s presence in the Stars line-up meant that they were stronger on paper. But, Hobart Hurricanes, having their own IPL players in Riley Meredith and Nathan Ellis, held their own.
Hobart Hurricanes chose to bat and Melbourne Stars made a couple of changes. Joe Burns was included for his debut while Adam Zampa was rested. This was the first match that Hobart Hurricanes were playing outside the Sydney franchises, having won two games against the Sydney Thunder and losing both against Sydney Sixers.
Read | Former BBL cricketer charged with child sexual offences
McDermott and Matthew Wade started aggressively, with McDermott hitting a six off Glenn Maxwell. Wade followed it up with a six and four off Brody Crouch. The opening partnership motored on, with both batsmen finding the boundary on a regular basis. At the end of the powerplay, Hobart Hurricanes had reached 52/0.
McDermott and Wade continued the onslaught even after the powerplay. It was McDermott who notched up his fifty and the partnership neared 100. But, Nathan Coulter-Nile struck by removing the dangerous Wade for 38. McDermott continued on his merry ways as he hit a six out of the stadium but his innings were ended by Andre Russell for 67.
D’Arcy Short continued the onslaught with two fours and a six off Russell as Hobart Hurricanes reached 150. Tim David hit a four and six in the 19th over as the Hurricanes aimed to get to 200. But, in the 20th over, controversy erupted as David deliberately took a short run. That saw the umpires give the Hobart Hurricanes five penalty runs. Although they ended on 180/6, Melbourne Stars were already five runs ahead when their innings began.
Melbourne Stars began aggressively, with Joe Clarke and Marcus Stoinis smashing the bowlers in the powerplay. But, Thomas Rogers struck the big blow when Marcus Stoinis fell for 18. Melbourne Stars got a massive boost when Glenn Maxwell was dropped first ball by Sandeep Lamichhane. But, Riley Meredith made amends when Maxwell fell for 12 thanks to a slower delivery which he mistimed.
Joe Clarke looked in great touch and he neared fifty by hammering Lamichhane for two fours and a six. Clarke notched up his fifty and he got good support from Joe Burns. But, D’Arcy Short blew the game open when he had Clarke stumped for 52 with a googly. When Nathan Ellis sent back Joe Burns, all hopes rested on Andre Russell.
When the two-over Power Surge was taken, Russell had an anxious moment. He was caught on the boundary by Short but there was plenty of doubt. The third umpire overturned the decision and he survived. Russell thumped two fours off Thomas but when Nathan Ellis removed Russell, the game was up. Hilton Cartwright looked to fight with a six off Meredith but the bowler bounced back with two wickets in the 19th over. Thomas held his nerve and the match was won by 24 runs by the Hobart Hurricanes.
Hobart Hurricanes are in the third position and they will play the Adelaide Strikers. Melbourne Stars, currently in seventh, will take on Brisbane Heat at The Gabba.
Rishabh Pant's explosive last-over blitz ignites IPL 2024 amid T20 World Cup comeback talks
